10 noteworthy in-house career moves

Former U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlinjoined Raven Industries, Inc. as its inaugural general counsel and vice president – corporate development, effective Sept. 1. Sandlin comes to the company from Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz, where her areas of practice included agriculture, energy and food safety. She served as a representative for South Dakota’s At-large congressional district from 2004 to 2011.

The Pennsylvania State University hired Stephen Dunham as its vice president and general counsel. Dunham previously spent seven years as vice president and general counsel of Johns Hopkins University. He replaces former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin, who resigned from the GC post in January.

Sara Lee Corp. appointed Kent Magill as general counsel and corporate secretary of its Hillshire Brands Co. division. Magill’s prior work experience includes a stint in the corporate finance division of Stinson Morrison Hecker, and 12 years at Hostess Brands Inc., where he served as general counsel, executive VP and corporate secretary.

Nadine Stocklin joined PubMatic, a digital media platform company, as general counsel. Stocklin most recently was associate general counsel at QuinStreet, where she prepared the company for its initial public offering and supported international expansion. She also worked at IAC Search and Media and Skadden Arps Slate, Meagher and Flom.

Bunge Limited, a global agribusiness and food company, hired Frank Jimenez as general counsel, secretary and managing director of government affairs. He previously was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Xylem Inc. Jimenez also held posts at various federal agencies, notably serving as general counsel of the U.S. Department of the Navy.

Tela Innovations Inc. announced the appointment of Liz Stewart as vice president and general counsel. Stewart’s prior in-house positions include a posting as assistant general counsel of Artisan Components Inc. and a stint as corporate counsel at NEC Electronics Inc. She also was a member of Cooley Godward’s technology transactions group.

Ralph Midkiff joined oil and gas exploration company Endeavour International Corp. as senior vice president and general counsel. Midkiff comes to the company from Chamberlain Hrdlicka, where he was a shareholder. He previously was a founding partner of Zummo & Midkiff and a partner at Clements, O’Neill, Pierce, Wilson & Fulkerson from 1993 to 2004.

Other GC Moves

Christopher Bunce, vice president and general counsel of Birch Communications Inc., has been promoted to senior vice president – legal and regulatory and general counsel of the telecommunications provider. Bunce joined the company in 2000 from GST Telecom. His prior industry experience also includes stints at CallAmerica, Whole Earth Networks and Hawaii Online.

The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) promoted George Callard to general counsel. Callard joined the company in 2011, most recently serving as senior vice president of legal and business affairs. His prior work experience also includes postings at NBC Universal, where he was vice president of legal and business affairs, and at AT&T, where he was senior counsel.

Austin Schlick, general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced his retirement, effective in mid-June. In his nearly three-year tenure with the FCC, Schlick oversaw the enactment of data-roaming agreements for wireless carriers and the reformation of the Universal Service Fund. He will be replaced by current deputy GC Sean Lev.